Expert Lintel Repair in Chicagoland
Corroded steel lintel replacement and course rebuilding above windows and doors. Prevents rust jacking damage on Chicagoland homes. 39+ years of North Shore experience. Licensed, insured, ASTM-compliant. Free estimates.
What Is Lintel Repair?
A lintel is the horizontal structural member that spans a window or door opening and carries the weight of the masonry above it. On Chicagoland homes built between the 1910s and 1950s, lintels were almost universally steel angle iron. That steel is now 70 to 110 years old. When it corrodes, it does not simply weaken: it physically expands as rust forms, lifting and cracking the brick courses above the opening in a process called rust jacking. Lintel repair means removing corroded steel, shoring the masonry above, installing new lintel steel, and rebuilding displaced brick courses with period-matched mortar. It is structural masonry work, not cosmetic patching.
Six Signs You Need Lintel Repair
Sign 1
Horizontal crack in the mortar joint directly above a window or door opening
Sign 2
Rust-colored staining bleeding down brick faces below a window opening
Sign 3
Slight outward bow in brick courses above a window when viewed from the side
Sign 4
Cracked brick units above openings, especially diagonal cracks from corners
Sign 5
Visible steel at the base of a window opening showing flaking rust or bubbled paint
Sign 6
Window or door frame binding or distorting as the opening geometry changes
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Get Free EstimateWhat Happens When You Delay Lintel Repair
Rust jacking is cumulative. A hairline crack above a window today becomes a displaced course of brick in two winters. The cost difference between early treatment and delayed replacement is significant, and the structural risk increases with every freeze-thaw cycle.
Cost Escalation Timeline
| Timeline | Condition | Typical Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Year 0-2 | Horizontal hairline crack above opening, light rust staining | Rust treatment + repointing: $500-$1,200 |
| Year 2-4 | Crack widens, brick courses bow outward, staining visible from street | Lintel replacement + brick reset: $2,000-$5,000 |
| Year 4-6 | Multiple courses displaced, brick units cracking, window distorts | Extended rebuild above opening: $4,000-$8,000 |
| Year 6+ | Structural failure of opening, wall section destabilized | Wall section rebuild: $8,000-$20,000+ |
Our Lintel Repair Process
Lintel and Opening Assessment
We examine every window and door opening for rust staining, horizontal cracking, outward bow, and exposed steel condition. We photograph all findings and categorize openings by severity: no symptoms, early-stage, or advanced.
Masonry Shore and Brick Removal
The brick courses above the opening are carefully removed to expose the lintel and assess steel section loss. The masonry above is shored during removal to prevent collapse.
Steel Removal and Specification
The old lintel is removed and its bearing length and cross-section are documented. New lintel steel is specified to match original bearing length with corrosion protection appropriate for the exposure environment.
Bearing Surface Preparation
Bearing pockets are cleaned and sized. The new lintel is set with the correct bearing length on each side, minimum 4 inches per standard masonry practice.
Course Rebuilding and Mortar Matching
Brick courses above the opening are rebuilt with salvage-matched brick and mortar matched to the existing wall. For pre-1920 soft Chicago common brick, Type N lime-rich mortar per NPS Preservation Brief 2. For post-war brick, Type N standard.
Final Inspection and Tuckpointing
The rebuilt section is inspected for alignment, color match, and joint profile. Surrounding tuckpointing is included where adjacent joints have been disturbed.
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Request EstimateTechnical Standards & Mortar Types
Mortar for lintel repair must match the original wall specification. The rebuilt courses above the opening are more vulnerable to moisture stress than lower wall sections because the opening concentrates water runoff from the wall above. Mortar that is too hard for the original brick causes spalling within a few years.
| Mortar Type | Compressive Strength | Correct Use | Risk if Misused |
|---|---|---|---|
| Type N (lime-rich) | 750 PSI | Pre-1920 soft Chicago common brick, all North Shore bungalows and greystones | Required for soft historic brick. Harder mortar traps moisture and causes face spalling per NPS Preservation Brief 2. |
| Type N | 750 PSI | Post-1940 machine-pressed brick, standard residential construction | Correct for most residential lintel rebuilds above grade. Balances strength and compatibility. |
| Type S | 1,800 PSI | Below-grade lintel bearing areas, structural steel-masonry interface | Appropriate only at the bearing zone, not for face brick rebuild above the opening. |
All Delta work follows ASTM C270 Standard Specification for Mortar for Unit Masonry.
Lintel Repair Pricing
Lintel replacement plus brick reset runs $2,000 to $5,000 per opening in the Chicagoland market, depending on the number of displaced courses above the opening, brick sourcing difficulty, and access. Every project receives a free written estimate after on-site inspection.
Questions about lintel repair? We have answers. Call (847) 713-1648 or
Get Free EstimateLintel Repair Service Areas
We provide professional lintel repair services across Chicago's North Shore, Lake County, northwest suburbs, and Cook County. 39+ years serving these communities.
North Shore
Lake County
Northwest Suburbs
Neighborhood Expertise
Every neighborhood on the North Shore has different brick, mortar, and construction eras. We know what your home is made of and how to repair it correctly.
Morton Grove and Niles
Deerfield
Evanston
Highland Park and Wilmette
Northbrook and Glenview
Lake Forest and Winnetka
Lintel Repair FAQ
Common questions about lintel repair answered by our licensed masonry experts.